Chairman Chris Caisley has revealed that Bradford Bulls players will be made available to Wakefield Rugby Union Club, who they have just taken over.

Caisley, who will head up a six-man board to run the new club, said: " I don't think you will see Robbie Paul turning out in the immediate future.

"But it's absolutely clear that there will be some contracted Bradford Bulls players turning out.

"Brian Noble (Bulls coach) was at Wakefield's game last Saturday, and there is a need to look at the playing structure there in conjunction with our coaching staff and Wakefield's coach, who is aware of the situation. However, there will be no detraction whatsoever from the Bradford Bulls' business of playing rugby league football."

Wakefield are currently among the strugglers in National League One.

Wakefield RUFC committee member Gordon Braide, who will join Caisley on the new board, said: "We don't expect many Bulls forwards to play for us, because that is a different ball-game in union. But it could be a different matter with the backs, and there could be movement the other way."

Caisley, who has been critical of rugby league's policies on player development, insists the deal will widen the club's player base and increase their appeal to new investors.

The Bulls are also looking to make greater use of their resources.

They recently received planning permission for a 26,000 all-seater stadium on their old Odsal ground and envisage moving out of their temporary home of Valley Parade some time in 2003.

Caisley said the change of ownership needed the blessing of the Rugby Football Union, and that rugby union would continue to be played at Wakefield's College Grove ground below first-team level.

Braide added: "This club has always had an ambition to get to the top level, and this is a means of getting to that level.

"The financial commitment that we currently have, although it is very good, is a drop in the ocean compared with the sort of backing Bradford Bulls receive. I'd be very much surprised if there is a single member of our club against the move."

Links between the Bulls and Wakefield RUFC have been strengthened in the past by the signings of Darrall Shelford (now part of the Bulls' coaching team), Neil Summers and, to Northern, Gary Van Bellen.